JobFusion - Community Employment Services

JobFusion is an Employment Service of the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities. JobFusion supports each person’s desire to work, and believes that with our “cutting edge” job training and planning, individuals can be successful in employment.

JobFusion professionals serve local businesses with full-time, part-time, and seasonal staffing. Employment services for Jobseekers are provided and/or funded by the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. (OOD)

JobFusion assists individuals with disabilities:• Find and keep jobs to fit their needs and abilities.• Learn how to arrange transportation to and from work.• Improve performance and develop new techniques and skills.• Identify their strengths and weaknesses.• JobFusion matches an individual’s gifts and abilities with an employer’s needs in the workplace.• JobFusion provides assistance and ongoing support to the individual and their parents/guardian.

Employment FirstOhio’s Employment First Initiative was launched on March 19, 2012, when Ohio Governor Kasich signed an Executive Order that declared community employment as the preferred option for people with developmental disabilities. The Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities put into place their “Community First Policy”. This policy encourages individuals “to find their own personal genius and have opportunities to explore work, community engagement, volunteerism, and entrepreneurship in their own community and in a manner that is least restrictive”. The FCBDD continues to be proactive in moving employment forward in Fairfield County with a number of innovative employment options and collaborative efforts with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), and the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).

Initiative Partnership to Employment FirstThe Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) launched an initiative called Partnership to Employment First, geared towards assisting individuals with developmental disabilities transitioning from segregated settings such as workshops, adult day services, and enclaves, into integrated community-based employment. With funding provided by the DODD, 15 OOD Counselors in Ohio, have been hired to assist individuals in a workshop setting to find community employment. JobFusion is an active vendor of this initiative.

DiscoveryThe Discovery process uses a team approach to get to know the individual being served. Team members participate in many phases of Discovery including a Discovery team meeting, an initial visit with the family, interviews, and observations, resulting in a Positive Personal Profile. The Profile identifies vocational, and/or community themes and opportunities to be pursued for the individual. The process also includes another team meeting called the Employment Planning Team Meeting. During this meeting, the Profile is shared, and team members identify vocational themes and options that can be pursued. JobFusion staff leads individuals through this exciting and rewarding process. For additional information, call Chanda Bussee, Discovery Program Manager, and (740) 652-7220.

Fairfield County Employment First Initatives

Fairfield Medical Center (FMC) Project SEARCHThis training model is a collaborative effort between the Fairfield Medical Center, Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), and the Fairfield County Board of DD’s JobFusion Employment Service. JobFusion works closely with the Fairfield County Board of DD’s Transition Coordinator. This school-age transition program is based at Fairfield Medical Center and provides each participant with an opportunity to experience a variety of internships at the medical center during his or her Senior year of high school. Each student works in various departments including: dietary, laundry, recycling, front desk, surgery, physical therapy, and materials management. FMC supervisors and employees work with the students to help them develop skills and learn work ethics. The program also helps students improve and strengthen their focus, concentration, and learn ways to adapt in each department. An on-site instructor from Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools and job training services are provided by JobFusion with funding by the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. For more information, contact Susan Welliver, Program Specialist JobFusion Employment Services. Email:
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or phone (614) 835-2700.

Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW) Project SEARCHThis training model is a partnership with DSW, Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), and the Fairfield County Board of DD’s JobFusion Employment Services. The program is based at Designer Shoe Warehouse and is a paid job-training program tailored to the Logistics Industry. Interns begin with a two-week orientation, followed by three internships lasting ten, nine and eight weeks. Some of the interns exit before completing the full seven months because they have achieved competitive employment that makes use of the skills they learned while participating in the program. Interns are paid minimum wage. Skills curriculum is taught to the interns to industry standards. Interns begin the job-development process as early as possible after the first internship, and for those who demonstrate readiness for competitive work in the logistics industry.Internship 1Part A Assemble Corrugate - Build cardboard boxes.Part B Case Break - Open cardboard cases and place shoeboxes on conveyor.Part C Induct Cases - Scan pallet with RF Scanner and lift cases onto conveyor. Internship 2Industrial Environmental Sanitation - 5S Technique is used (sort, straighten, sweep, systemize, sustain); maintain orderliness throughout Warehouse.Internship 3Part A Processing Accessories - Ticket, repack, scan barcodes with RF Scanner.Part B Processing Shoes - Sort, follow order, pack cases, scar barcodes, heavy RF Scanner use.JobFusion provides oversight of the following programs on behalf of the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities.For more information, contact Doug Mitchell, Manager, JobFusion Employment Services, Email
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, or phone (614) 835-2700.

DiscoverU - Project SEARCHDiscoverU is an innovative training and employment model developed by the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities/JobFusion for individuals with disabilities. Partners for this program include River Valley Mall Management, Ohio Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (ODD), Project SEARCH, and the Fairfield County Board of DD/JobFusion Employment Services. The model was in part inspired by Governor Kasich’s Executive Order that “community employment should be the first option for all working age adults and transition-age youth with developmental disabilities”. In an effort to build business relationships, JobFusion wanted to be as close to businesses and jobs as possible. Working with the River Valley Mall Management, JobFusion was able to secure a 3000 square foot space with window frontage. Each intern participates in a 30-week training program. There are three, 10-week rotations. Each is a paid internship designed to both educate an individual about particular job responsibilities, and break down the barriers to employment by establishing working relationships between individual store managers and job candidates.The interns work at mall businesses for a total of four hours per day. JobFusion Job Trainers assist interns with learning new tasks. A computer lab is available at DiscoverU for individuals to use. There is also a training classroom and meeting rooms.JobFusion thanks River Valley Mall and our business partners in the mall: Charlie’s Steakery, Elder-Beerman, Claire’s Boutique, Old Navy, Fun 4u Arcade, Bon Worth, and River Valley Mall Housekeeping. The effectiveness of DiscoverU is heavily dependent on internship sites for DiscoverU participants to learn the skills they need, and to network with local employers.DiscoverU’s doors opened on October 28, 2013. During the first year, over 100% of the participants that have completed the program have been hired at businesses throughout Fairfield County. All participants that have been hired have also retained their jobs with no turnover. For more information, contact Susan Welliver, JobFusion Program Specialist, and Email:
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or phone (614) 835-2700.

Employability Training Programs

Step Up two Work

This is a three-week program geared toward individuals that have little to no work experience. It is a collaboration between JobFusion staff and Opportunity Center staff to provide employability skills training in a community setting. The curriculum is a step up from the Transitions Curriculum by extending training time and expectations of participants. A variety of topics are covered including: appropriate work conduct; following directions; being safe; and a strong emphasis is placed on teamwork. Outcomes for participants completing the program: Referrals to a Fairfield County Board of DD Affiliate Partner; referral to Opportunities for Ohioans (OOD) for a community based assessment or another service; referral to Work For It; referral to DiscoverU - Project SEARCH. For more information, contact Susan Welliver, JobFusion Program Specialist, Email:
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or phone (614)835-2700.

Work for It

This program combines employability training along with internships at businesses located at River Valley Mall. The training focuses on individuals who have completed Step Up 2 Work or individuals who are already employed, but would like to explore other employment options. A two-week job skills orientation is provided prior to the internship. The internship lasts for eight weeks with a combination of skills training and a 2-hour paid internship at River Valley Mall businesses. A team meeting is held after six weeks to determine progress and next steps. Funding is through the individuals’ budget under vocational habilitation. Outcomes for participants completing the program: Referrals to a Fairfield County Board of DD Affiliate Partners; referral to Opportunities for Ohioans (OOD) for a community based assessment or another service; referral to Work For It; referral to DiscoverU - Project SEARCH. For more information, contact Susan Welliver, JobFusion Program Specialist, Email:
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or phone (614)835-2700.

The Zone at Ohio University-Lancaster

The Zone is located inside the student center at Ohio University-Lancaster. A JobFusion Trainer works with the individuals to learn their specific job duties including salad bar prep, vending machine stocking, food service, cleaning, and cashier. Individuals also assist in OU-L’s Bookstore, when needed. They work 3 to 6 hours every day, Monday through Thursday. For more information, contact Linda McDonald, JobFusion Job Developer, Email:
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or phone (614) 835-2700.

Project Grow

This Social Purpose Enterprise, under the direction of Director of Business Development, is a collaboration of the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities/JobFusion, Ohio University-Lancaster, Allen’s Lancaster Greenhouse and Nursery, and the Opportunity Center. This program provides a unique opportunity for individuals with an interest in horticulture to work in seasonal employment opportunities at the GROW greenhouse located on the OU-L Campus. JobFusion Job Trainers work with individual and teach them a number of skills that can assist individuals interested in this type of work. In 2014, the project contributed over 200 hours of labor and learning, and provided Allen’s Greenhouse with 85 flats of pansies; 38 flats of broccoli and cabbage; 132 flats of tomatoes; 107 flats of peppers; 49 flats of Vincas; 99 Elephant Ears; 590 grasses; 163 Black-Eye Susans; 366 herbs, and 328 Lantanas. Individual Service Coordinators (ISC’s) may make referrals to the program by contacting Susan Welliver, JobFusion Program Specialist. Email:
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or phone (614) 835-2700.

Employee Advisory Committee

The JobFusion Work First Leadership Team (WFLT) held their first meeting on September 25, 2013, at the Pickerington Regional Office. The team’s mission is to contribute to their community. Their vision is to mentor and advocate employment for individuals with disabilities. The group is involved in advocating for individuals with disabilities in a variety of ways including making presentations about the benefits of working in the community. For more information, contact Susan Welliver, JobFusion Program Specialist, Email:
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or phone (614) 835-2700.

Business Advisory Council

The Business Advisory Council assists in educating businesses in Fairfield County about the benefits of hiring employees with developmental disabilities; provides expert business advice and counsel to The Fairfield County Board of DD/JobFusion; and champions and advocates for Fairfield County Board of DD/JobFusion in the community.Members are recruited to serve on the BAC because of:• Their belief and commitment to helping individuals with disabilities find employment.• Their leadership in the business community; and• Their business expertise.The Council meets the third Thursday of every month. Meetings focus on BAC member’s assistance and guidance on employment-related businesses issues and projects in the community.Members:Travis Markwood, President - Lancaster-Fairfield Chamber of CommerceSusan Nixon Stoughton, Community Development Coordinator - Fairhope Hospice & Palliative CareJoseph P. Henderson, Development Services Director, Pickerington DevelopmentJanet. M. Cooper, Recruitment Specialist - Fairfield Medical CenterDarian Radabaugh, General Manager - Elder-Beerman, River Valley MallLou Varga, President - Varga Communications.

For more information, contact Doug Mitchell, Manager, JobFusion Employment Services,
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or phone (614) 835-2700 or David Uhl, Director of Business Development,
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or phone (740) 652-7220.

Affiliate Partners

The Fairfield County Board of DD currently contracts with three employment providers to provide services for the County Board. The three affiliate provides are: • Home Health Connections, Lancaster • Learning Never Ends, Reynoldsburg • Embracing Autism, ColumbusThe affiliate providers assist the county boards with employability skills training/paid community internship and Discovery. Plans are underway for the affiliate partners to assist with job training.